The Center for Slavic

and East European Studies

Poland: The Country, Culture and Prospects

Lance EricksonAssistant Director

Presentation created byMagdalena Gruszczynska

The Center for Slavic

and East European Studies

Capital:Warsaw (Warszawa)

Language: Polish

Population: 38 million

Area: 312,685 km2 (120,727 sq mi)

for size comparison:New Mexico (315,194 km²) 121,665 sq mi

Larger than Italy, UK

Currency: 1 zloty (PLN)

exchange rate $1 USD = 3.32 PLN

The Center for Slavic

and East European Studies

Warszawa – Downtown view and the Vistula River

The Center for Slavic

and East European Studies

ECONOMY• GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $620.9 billion; per capita $16,300

21st Largest economy

Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization since 1990 and today stands out as a success story among transition economies. In 2008, GDP grew an estimated 5.3%, based on rising private consumption, a jump in corporate investment, and EU funds inflows. GDP per capita is still much below the EU average, but is similar to that of the three Baltic states. Since 2004, EU membership and access to EU structural funds have provided a major boost to the economy. Unemployment is falling rapidly, though at roughly 9.7% in 2008, it remains above the EU average. In 2008 inflation reached 4.3%, more than the upper limit of the National Bank of Poland's target range, but has been falling due to global economic slowdown. Poland's economic performance could improve further if the country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its business environment. An inefficient commercial court system, a rigid labor code, bureaucratic red tape, and persistent low-level

corruption keep the private sector from performing up to its full potential.

The Center for Slavic

and East European Studies

Lech Wałęsa (29 September 1943)

• co-founder of Solidarity

• politician

• former president of Poland

The Center for Slavic

and East European Studies

Everything Polish as the OSU

Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures• Language classes - POLISH 101 – 407• Polish Literature Classes • Polish Language – Conversation Table

The Center for Slavic and East European Studies• Polish movie collection•Lectures

The Polish Club• Cuisine nights• Food fests • Movie nights

OSU in Poland

Fisher College of Business

Sociology

Social Work

Language Study at JU